Tipton Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

In cases of dog-related injuries, dog bite attorneys are reliable advocates for victims. Specializing in animal law, they navigate the complexities of liability and compensation to achieve justice and support for the injured.

Dog Safety for Kids in Iowa

While dogs make great companions or family members, they can be dangerous, even when unprovoked. For parents, teaching dog safety for kids—especially around dogs they don’t know—is essential to keeping them safe and protected. The following provides some tips for child safety around dogs that all parents should teach.

Be Calm around Dogs

One of the first things that parents should teach in dog safety for kids is that dogs, much like humans, don’t always respond well to stress. A stressful environment can include one where children are yelling, jumping, yanking a dog’s tail, or otherwise being overly rowdy. Encourage children to approach dogs while using an inside voice and always be gentle with a pooch.

Leave Sleeping and Eating Dogs Alone

Another lesson in dog safety for kids is that no one—canines included—enjoys being disturbed while enjoying a good meal or nap. When dogs are bothered or interrupted while eating or sleeping, they’re much more likely to be aggressive. Remind children to never approach a dog that’s distracted with something else. Instead, let the dog finish whatever it’s doing before approaching.

Ask the Dog’s Owner Before Petting

Children, especially those that love animals, are often tempted to approach strange dogs and pet them. However, approaching an unknown animal can be dangerous for a child, as the dog may feel threatened, increasing its likelihood of attacking. Teach your child to always first ask a dog’s owner whether or not they can touch the dog. If the dog owner says “yes,” then the child can proceed.

How to Pet Nicely

Children don’t always know how to pet a dog appropriately and may try to hug the dog, kiss the dog, or yank at its fur or tail. Unfortunately, a dog may view these actions as an attack and may respond aggressively as a result. Teach your children how to pet nicely. The best place to scratch a dog is the chest or the side of the neck, but the top of the head should be avoided for unfamiliar animals.

Avoid Eye Contact

Dogs often view direct eye contact as a threat. To reduce your child’s risk of being attacked by a dog, instruct them to never make direct eye contact with a dog, especially one they don’t know well.

What to Do When Approached by an Unknown Dog

Teach your children what to do when approached by an unknown dog. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children should remain completely still when a strange dog comes up to them or is near them. Additionally, children should never play with a dog without an adult nearby and should always allow a dog to sniff them before touching the dog.

When playing, dogs can be rowdier than they intend, and it’s not uncommon for a child to be knocked down by a dog, either in play or aggression. If your child is knocked down by a dog, make sure they know what to do. Instruct your child to roll into a ball and be as still as possible in the event that he or she is knocked down.

Some dogs are more tolerant of children than others. If you have a family dog that knows and loves your child, the chances of the dog attacking are low. However, your child should know that the way they act with your family dog is not the way they should act with every dog. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends always supervising the interaction between your children and your pets, as well as your children and other people’s pets.

What is the Law for Dogs That Have Previously Bitten Somebody?

There's no "one-bite rule” in Iowa, which requires a dog to have previously bitten a person or acted in a manner that the owner would be aware of the dog’s propensity to bite in order to hold the dog owner liable for damages. Whether the dog has bitten somebody previously or not does not affect the victim’s ability to recover compensation for damages from the dog owner.

In fact, dog owners in Iowa are strictly liable for damages caused by their dog if it bites or attacks a person. Victims do not have to prove the owner was negligent in order to recover damages. To win their cases, claimants or plaintiffs need only to prove that the dog bit them, they suffered damages, and the defendant owns the dog. They should demonstrate that they weren't engaged in illegal activity (like trespassing) at the time of the bite.

Why Do Some Dogs Bite People?

Dogs show aggression for different reasons. They might be territorial, possessive, protective, or even afraid. Biting can also be a learned behavior, and a dog's training and environment may make it more or less likely to bite. If the dog is in an abusive home, for example, it might become more aggressive and likely to bite.

Owners whose dogs previously bit a person should take steps to avoid a repeat attack. In fact, Des Moines’ city ordinances declare a vicious dog is any that has attacked a person or that has a disposition to attack, cause injury, bite, or snap at a person. Certain breeds are declared vicious, including the Staffordshire terrier breed, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, or any dog that has the appearance of these breeds.

Dogs declared vicious must be confined in a house, pen, or kennel or must be on a leash of no more than six feet. The dog may not be leashed to an inanimate object like a tree.

Ordinances vary by city, so be sure to check any applicable laws if your dog has bitten somebody or has a propensity to bite, or if you were bitten by a dog. Make sure you report the dog bite if you’re bitten.

What Legal Options Do Bite Victims Have?

People who are victims of dog bites can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against dog owners. Bite victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages in a dog bite case. Economic damages include things like medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses associated with the injury, while non-economic damages include things like pain and suffering and disfigurement.

Do Certain Dogs Bite More Often Than Others?

Every year, there are nearly 4.7 million injuries that happen in the United States when dogs bite. According to insurance companies, the five dog breeds that are most often associated with dog bite injuries are:

- Presa Canario: This dog is a mix of a mastiff and a pit bull that is often used to herd cattle. These dogs weigh up to 125 pounds and are about 25 inches tall.
- Doberman Pinscher: Dobermans are bred to guard their owners and to respond immediately when they feel threatened. Avoid violent or aggressive play with this breed.
- Husky: These dogs have very complex personalities and are sometimes dangerous in the hands of inexperienced owners.
- German Shepherd: These large dogs have a brave and confident nature, which accounts for their use in police work. However, that confident nature can often make this breed aggressive.
- Rottweiler: Rottweilers often dislike people and animals that they have never met. They have very strong jaws that make them extremely effective at defending their owners.

Dog safety for kids is an important topic that all parents should prioritize. By teaching children how to interact safely with dogs and knowing what to do in case of a dog bite, parents can help prevent accidents and ensure a safer environment for their children. If your child has been bitten by a dog, understanding Iowa’s strict liability laws and knowing your legal options can help you seek the compensation you deserve. 

When to Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer

For the complete list of things you should do if bitten by a dog you can request our FREE book, "Iowa Consumer's Guide to Dog Bites- Secrets to Not Get Bitten by Your Case" which is available to you with no risk or obligation by clicking here or by calling 641-792-3595. 

Why offer a Free Dog Bite Book?  Since 1997, I have been representing injured Iowans, including many dog bite victims from central Iowa and throughout the state.  I have heard too many horror stories about people making costly mistakes, causing them to lose thousands of dollars.  Before you talk to the insurance company you should know your rights and perhaps more importantly your responsibilities.   

If you need immediate assistance, contact us online or call us at (641) 792-3595. If you are not local to us, we will come to you.